13a Application UK or Philippines?

[Jimbouk]

HI All,

Once the current travel restrictions have been lifted, which would you consider easier, applying for and obtaining a 13a visa from the Philippine Embassy in London or applying for and obtaining once I am in the Philippines? 

thanks,

James

[scott h]

34 minutes ago, Jimbouk said:

once I am in the Philippines? 

I got mine several years ago here in Manila. So IMHO a lot depends upon where you live in the Philippines. If you live near a BI office it is not that difficult to get here, and speaking of the main office here in Manila, due to covid everything here is by appointment so the mass confusion of first come, first serve has disappeared (mostly lol).

The biggest disadvantage of getting it here is the 6 months residence requirement to get your NBI background check, so the whole process is delayed a bit.

[Mike J]

Most folks here advise having it done in your home country.  Less hassle and there is no "one year probation" period.  The visa becomes permanent when you arrive here in the Philippines.  At least that is how it worked prior to the pandemic.  So it will most likely remain that way.  With the 13A you will still be required to do your annual report in Jan or Feb each year.

[graham59]

3 hours ago, Mike J said:

Most folks here advise having it done in your home country.  Less hassle and there is no "one year probation" period.  The visa becomes permanent when you arrive here in the Philippines.  At least that is how it worked prior to the pandemic.  So it will most likely remain that way.  With the 13A you will still be required to do your annual report in Jan or Feb each year.

THIS:  

I have a 13A (Probationary) stamp in my British passport now, but it would have been easier and cheaper if I'd bitten the bullet years earlier, and applied when in the UK. 

Just check with the Phils embassy what regs are current, once this travel mess is over. 

[jimeve]

If your wife is with you, I recommend doing it in London.

[hk blues]

7 hours ago, Jimbouk said:

HI All,

Once the current travel restrictions have been lifted, which would you consider easier, applying for and obtaining a 13a visa from the Philippine Embassy in London or applying for and obtaining once I am in the Philippines? 

thanks,

James

I did mine in Hong Kong - I don't see any downsides to doing it in your home country (the UK) as long as you live near the embassy.  Permanent from Day 1 and thus no need to process the change from probationary to permanent after 1 year. 

[GeoffH]

56 minutes ago, hk blues said:

I did mine in Hong Kong - I don't see any downsides to doing it in your home country (the UK) as long as you live near the embassy.  

Yes... that is one big downside for me for applying in Australia... the only Philippines embassy in Australia is in Canberra which is a 2 hour drive then a 1 hour flight then a long taxi trip to get to.  Fair bit of $ because I'd have to stay overnight as well.  And I doubt it would be only one trip.  There is a consulate office in Sydney but none in Melbourne so that isn't an option either.

[hk blues]

2 hours ago, GeoffH said:

Yes... that is one big downside for me for applying in Australia... the only Philippines embassy in Australia is in Canberra which is a 2 hour drive then a 1 hour flight then a long taxi trip to get to.  Fair bit of $ because I'd have to stay overnight as well.  And I doubt it would be only one trip.  There is a consulate office in Sydney but none in Melbourne so that isn't an option either.

I'm pretty sure the cost, never mind inconvenience,  of such a trip (you'd need at least 2 - 1 to deposit docs and another to pick up the visa) would negate any benefit.  

[scott h]

3 hours ago, GeoffH said:

And I doubt it would be only one trip. 

That was my reasoning also. Prefer 10 kilometers of Manila traffic to 150 Kilometers of Los Angeles traffic

[expatuk2014]

10 hours ago, jimeve said:

If your wife is with you, I recommend doing it in London.

I agree if your wife is with you its a quick and easy process the Ambassador is very nice ! Very helpful taked two visits the second is for the visa !